An E. Coli outbreak has sickened nine people across three states, officials said on March 26.
There have been two new cases in California, taking the total there to seven. One case each has been reported in Texas and Florida.
More than half of the cases have occurred in children younger than 5 years of age. Three people were hospitalized, one of whom developed a serious kidney condition. No deaths have been reported.
State and local public health officials have interviewed eight of the nine people who got sick, or their caregivers, and learned that all eight reported consuming raw dairy products. One consumed raw milk but did not recall the brand. Seven said they consumed raw milk or cheese made by RAW FARM.
Both raw cheddar cheese blocks and shredded raw cheddar cheese have been implicated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The California-based company was encouraged to voluntarily recall products from the market but declined, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
“Affected RAW FARM-brand raw milk from 2025 should no longer be for sale,” the FDA said in a March 26 statement.
The CDC and the California Department of Public Health are recommending that people avoid RAW FARM products while the investigation into the outbreak continues.
California officials also advised businesses not to sell RAW FARM cheddar cheese during the investigation.
FDA officials went to RAW FARM to conduct an inspection. Officials are not aware of any positive E. coli test results for RAW FARM products at this time.
Aaron McAFee, president of RAW FARM, said in a video statement that the company did not recall the products because they reviewed data and concluded officials are wrong to link the outbreak to RAW FARM products. He said the company tests all of its cheese and milk products before selling them, because it knows the safety of raw products is important.
E. coli are bacteria. Food and drink contaminated with some types of E. coli can cause gastrointestinal illness, with symptoms including stomach cramps and diarrhea. A small number of patients pass away.
If people experience symptoms of E. Coli, they are encouraged to contact their health care provider, particularly if they ate or drank RAW FARM products.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has promoted raw milk, which is not pasteurized, during his time in office. Thirty states allow sales of raw milk.
The FDA says on its website that “while the perceived nutritional and health benefits of raw milk consumption have not been scientifically substantiated, the health risks are clear.”
Risks include miscarriages, kidney failure, and death, the agency says.
